In a number of countries the custom is to publish the agenda of topics for discussion by the cabinet of ministers ahead of the meetings that are due to be held. After the meetings, an account is also published of the discussions held and the decisions reached. Naturally, not all that gets said and not all incidents that occur are brought out into the open.

Still, the accounts that are provided give an indication of how major decisions are being addressed and implemented. Surely, in the case of coalition governments, this method offers ample opportunities to follow whether progress is really being registered as a result of the cooperation that supposedly should apply between the parties in the coalition. That's how matters stand as of now in Germany for instance...

Yet, even when the government is being run by just one party, it might be useful - and not just for reasons of transparency - to have the cabinet agenda published beforehand. On the back of such a procedure, a government could keep the emphasis on how, and on how much, it is keeping the momentum of its operations. As far as I know, up to now, in Malta there has not been any wish to introduce such a system.

***

LESS HOT

In past months, comparing the temperatures we experienced in Malta with those of some continental European countries made for quite a contrast. Here it was consistently less hot.

It's true that as islands, our territory should arguably benefit from wind movements that  arise from the surrounding seas. But that effect has always been there - and for as long as I can remember, in the past we were not gifted with milder temperatures than the rest of Europe. The contrary was indeed the case.

What's happening? Surely it must be the changes in climate that are provoking these outcomes. That the European north has become hotter than the central Mediterranean, as seems to be happening, is hardly conisstent with how isotherms would line up across the European space not so long ago. Or is this all based on memories that are flawed?

***

EUROPEANS

The unification of Europe remains a much more complicated process than would have us believe those enthusiasts for unity who drum the argument that only a united Europe can save European countries from becoming third rate. This perspective completely overlooks a main factor in the make-up of the European reality - it consists of nations all with traditions, customs and economic conduct which are different from each other. These cannot just be swept away in one fast move.

The point finds confirmation in three recent developments. There was the decision by France and Germany to abandon their joint project to build a new generation of fighter jets.  Meanwhile, disagreement has arisen between the "bigger" and "smaller" member states of the EU regarding who should speak for Europe in any contacts or negotiations undertaken with Russia about the Ukraine war. And there's the current stand-off between Poland and the Ukraine over the latter's decision to resurrect the name of a Ukrainian regiment which was responsible for a lot of atrocities in Poland during the Second World War.